Hide and Seek for Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

he had not told Stella Ashworth how much she meant to him.
    He had kissed her gently when they were in Simla together, when he had called in to see her the night before setting off across the frontier in disguise.
    He had not, of course, told her what he was doing – he had merely said he had been sent North by the Colonel of his Regiment and hoped he would not be away too long.
    â€œI will miss you, David,” she had purred softly.
    â€œAnd I will miss you more than I dare tell you.”
    Stella looked at him with her large beautiful eyes.
    He had swept her into his arms – he had always known that she was divinely desirable, but now she meant more to him than any woman he had ever met.
    He kissed her until they were both breathless and then because he knew time was passing, he murmured,
    â€œI must leave you now, my darling one, but, when I come back, I will have a great deal to say to you.”
    â€œDon’t be away long, David,” she pleaded.  “You know that I love being with you and you dance better than anyone else in the whole of Calcutta – ”
    David laughed.
    â€œIs that so important?” he asked.
    â€œIt is to me and I just love dancing with you.”
    David had kissed her again.
    Then as time was passing he had to hurry away to catch the night-train to carry him towards his target.
    *
    Now his brain had cleared a little after the shock of hearing of his grandfather’s death.
    He told himself that he was at least in a position to now ask Stella to be his wife.
    As a General’s daughter she lived in great comfort, and her father, David had always understood, had a private fortune, so he was better housed and could entertain in a way that none of his brother Officers could afford.
    The General’s grand house in Calcutta was one of the most outstanding in the City and the Army did certainly not provide it for him.
    When David raised the silver knocker on the door, it was opened by an Indian servant wearing a smart livery.
    He enquired if Miss Ashworth was at home and it was with a sense of relief he learned that she was indeed, and, although she was expecting guests, there was no one with her at this moment.
    David followed the servant upstairs to the drawing room, which boasted huge French windows overlooking a flower-filled garden.
    When he entered the drawing room, it was to find Stella sitting on the sofa with her legs up reading a book.
    As he was announced, she threw her book onto the floor and jumped to her feet.
    â€œDavid!” she exclaimed.  “You are back!  Oh, how wonderful!  I have been desperate at not hearing from you and terribly afraid that you were in trouble or engaged in a battle with those horrible Russians.”
    David did not answer.
    He merely put out his arms and pulled her close.
    â€œWherever I have been, Stella, I have missed you and this – ”
    His lips were on hers.
    As he felt her respond, he thought nothing could be more marvellous or more exciting.
    When he raised his head, he said in a deep voice,
    â€œI adore you and you look even more beautiful than when I went away.”
    â€œOh, David, I have missed you so very much, but now you are back we can enjoy ourselves again.”
    David looked down at her lovely face and then he mumbled,
    â€œHow soon will you marry me, my darling?”
    He thought that Stella would move even closer, but instead to his astonishment, she replied,
    â€œOh, David, don’t ask me that!”
    â€œ Why not ?” David demanded sharply.
    â€œBecause,” Stella said hesitatingly, “although I love you and enjoy being with you – I cannot marry you.”
    â€œWhy Stella?  I don’t understand.”
    She moved closer and put her cheek against his.
    â€œIt sounds so horrid when I put it into words,” she breathed in a voice he could hardly hear.  “But I could not bear to marry a man who is poor and I know that my Papa would